The transformation of the Chiefs’ offense Sunday boiled down to something simple, in the opinion of Larry Johnson.

“The quarterback situation,” he said, “was different.”

Perhaps Johnson’s explanation was on the mark. The Chiefs used Damon Huard for an entire game and exploded for a 33-19 win over Denver at Arrowhead Stadium, giving the Chiefs exactly one more point than they had scored in their first three games combined.

It helped that the Chiefs’ opponent has one of the worst defenses in the league. But the Chiefs’ offense, unlike in each of the last two weeks when they were quarterbacked by Tyler Thigpen, featured no passes into multiple coverage, no wildly errant throws and no interceptions.

“I managed the game well,” Huard said. “I didn’t force anything, was pretty smart with the football for the most part.”

Huard passed for only 160 yards but was most efficient. His 10-yard fade pass to Tony Gonzalez in the end zone early in the fourth quarter gave the Chiefs their first 10-point lead of the game. The Broncos would never get closer than seven points afterward.

Huard’s play gives the Chiefs some hope for next week’s game against the Panthers in Charlotte, most likely their last one before the return of Brodie Croyle.

“It’s one win,” Huard said. “We’re 1-3. But it gives us some confidence. We can beat a team that’s 3-0 and playing the way the Broncos were coming into this game. I think it’s something we’ve got to build on, and certainly next week in Carolina.”

The Chiefs have nine other wins with Huard as their starting quarterback, but perhaps none as satisfying. They had lost 12 straight games and went down meekly in the last two weeks to Oakland and Atlanta.

The Broncos were 3-0 and a 9 1/2 -point favorite to beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

The Chiefs scored on each of their first two possessions in taking a 6-0 lead, the first time they had been ahead in 22 quarters going back to a mid-December game against Tennessee last year.

That relieved much pressure off Huard and a stressed offense.

“We had a lot of energy today,” Huard said. “Everybody played with a lot of energy. All of the young guys on defense were flying around. The crowd was into it early. It was just nice to get a lead. Even though we got only field goals, we were still ahead early. That’s the first time that’s happened for a while.

“We got that early lead. We got some momentum, we built on it and just put together a great win. It relaxed us a little bit. We could just hone in on our job: make a pass, make a run, make a block.”

Que Card QB

09-29-2008, 08:36 AM

Should read: "Despite numerous poor, uncatchable passes--wide, high, out of bounds, behind, and in front of receivers--Chiefs’ offense thrives under Huard’s steady hand".

I'm just sayin'...

T-post Tom

09-29-2008, 08:47 AM

Should read: "Despite numerous poor, uncatchable passes--wide, high, out of bounds, behind, and in front of receivers--Chiefs’ offense thrives under Huard’s steady hand".

I'm just sayin'...

As long as the pass isn't into the hands of a defender. Huard got little practice time this off-season. He should continue to get better if he continues to play. Even the vets need time on the field to synch up with their receivers.